Gathering House reopens thanks to overwhelming community support

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When a fire damaged the large group meeting space in the garage at The Gathering House on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, the future of a vital community space was thrown into question. Because the building was underinsured, Faith Community was left facing a $70,000 bill for cleanup, remediation, and a full rebuild.

But instead of a setback, the community saw an opportunity to come together.

Thanks to an outpouring of local support – including a wildly successful “Pizza, Puzzles, and a Bourbon Pull” fundraiser hosted by the Nickel Plate Express – the community rallied to raise nearly $20,000 of the $45,000 insurance gap. Today, the garage is fully finished, climate-controlled, and ready to welcome neighbors back for community dinners, nonprofit board meetings, training sessions, fitness classes, and casual hangouts.

To say a massive thank-you and show off the restored space, The Gathering House will hold a Grand Re-Opening on Tuesday, July 7 at 1372 Cherry St.

An evening of gratitude & gathering

The celebration will be split into two parts to honor both the hands that rebuilt the space and the community it serves. At 6 p.m., the invite-only VIP Appreciation Hour will begin. This is a special reception for the neighbors, local businesses, and donors who financially stepped into the gap to make the rebuild possible.

Then at 7 p.m., the doors swing wide open to the entire community. Anyone and everyone is invited to tour the newly refurbished large meeting space, explore the rest of The Gathering House, and enjoy a relaxed evening of connection. It’s amazing to see what has come together in such a short period of time, all because the community made it possible through their support, encouragement, and financial generosity.

“The Gathering House has always been about organic connection and real-life relationships,” said Patrick Propst, Minister of Faith Community. “When the fire happened, we didn’t just lose a building; we temporarily lost a place where neighbors meet, heal, and grow together. Seeing our community step up to help us rebuild is a beautiful reminder of what happens when people look out for one another regardless of their faith or other differentiating factors. We can’t wait to open the doors and celebrate that goodness together.”

Faith Community extends its deepest gratitude to the key organizations and individuals whose generosity fueled this recovery, including:

• Local Partners: Nickel Plate Express (and Executive Director Emily Reynolds), Gaylor Electric, Peterson Architecture, BarnRaisers, and Genesis Restoration.
• These Incredible Community Supporters: Bruce and Ann Lemna, Julia and Jeff Kozicki, Lisa and Jeff Dick, Beth and Bob Niedermeyer, Bryan Glover, Mary Burns, Emma St. Dennis, Michelle Schmidt, Matthew Doudt, Kaye and Mike Propst, Bret and Tammy Richardson, James Dragoo, Adriann and Aaron Young, Darren Peterson, Donna Hess, Chris Hartig, Ross Brodhead, Sandra Lynch, Mark and Sue Fouch, Jim and Kathy Hines, Steve Ingram, and Olivia Schmidt.

Come as you are, bring a neighbor, and help us celebrate a space built by the community, for the community.

About The Gathering House & Faith Community
The Gathering House is a community space owned and operated by Faith Community in Noblesville, focused on connection, learning, and service. Safe, hospitable, and intentionally non-institutional, it serves as a hub for House Church, Dinner Church, and local neighborhood gatherings aimed at pursuing Goodness, Beauty, and Truth in everyday life. Learn more at tghnoblesville.com.